Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers in the Lower House of Parliament on Monday called for end to misuse of blasphemy laws.

Citing the inhumane killing of Mashal Khan at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, opposition MNAs asked the government to bring forward a resolution to send a strong message against the misuse of blasphemy laws. Speaking on a point of order, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah said 65 people had been killed since 1990 on charges of blasphemy. “The government should bring a resolution against the lynching of student of Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan to a give a strong message against mob violence,” he said. The opposition leader expressed hope that the government would present a resolution to stop the misuse of blasphemy laws.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Shireen Mazari also urged the government to bring a resolution to condemn the Mardan incident. She said that the PTI would support the government if a resolution was presented against the misuse of blasphemy laws. “If the government is unable to present such a resolution, then the PTI can do so,” she said.

Shah also assailed the government over its failure to reduce load-shedding.

“The tall claim made by Shahbaz Sharif that he will eliminate load shedding within six months was just a political slogan”, he said.

He said the government had not informed the House about the three missing persons linked to the Pakistan People’s Party. “This is totally against the law,” he said. As a protest, Shah announced a walkout from the House. Later, Dr Ramesh Lal pointed out the quorum, and the House was adjourned for Tuesday.